Definition
口技 (kǒu jì) is a traditional Chinese performance art in which the performer uses only their voice to imitate a wide range of sounds — animal calls, weather, traffic, and everyday activities. It is distinct from Western ventriloquism; there is no puppet or voice-throwing. The art is famously described in a classical Chinese essay by Lin Sihuan. Learning about 口技 gives insight into Chinese folk performance traditions.
n.
vocal mimicrythe Chinese art of sound imitation (not ventriloquism)
Examples
- 口技，。Tā biǎoyǎn de kǒu jì fēicháng jīngcǎi, mófǎng le niǎojiào hé fēngshēng.His vocal mimicry performance was very exciting, imitating bird calls and wind sounds.
- 口技，。Zhè wèi yìshùjiā cóngxiǎo xuéxí kǒu jì, xiànzài néng mófǎng jǐshí zhǒng shēngyīn.This artist learned vocal mimicry from childhood and can now imitate dozens of sounds.
- 口技，。Wǒ zuótiān zài jùyuàn kàn le yì chǎng kǒu jì biǎoyǎn, guānzhòng dōu hěn jīngyà.Yesterday I watched a vocal mimicry performance at the theater; the audience was all amazed.
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